career crossroads

[David Sandusky]

I copied this post by Carlos. His original post is in the Industry trends thread.

Originally Posted by Carlos

There are other ways, though. You need to market YOURSELF. I've seen a trend, that when you market yourself in the industry that you grew up loving, the industry you want to push forward, the industry that you want to drive....Some owners of big websites (and companies) come after you, and will try to gain your trust, your respect...They are the ones who will not stop at "what can I do for YOU?"

For many years, I've been trying to build a reputation around me. I've written articles, I've met a few people (so far) that are very serious about business, a few alliances broken. But you never know if they will forgive and forget.

I've attended some events to push this further. And I've learned so much more from attending huge events, than I do from taking classes. When you're in the spotlight of the camera, people start to notice you, and talk about you.

The longer you're online, and you separate from the pack of other people, the more search engines search your [unique] name. If your name is NEW to google, then they will search you, since you're first on their list.

I do agree with that sentiment about helping others. In my years of experience, my helping out other people pays off, because right now, a limited company is pursuing business with me.

I registered, to learn more from this site's members. Because right now, I'm at crossroads. Rock and hard place in life at the moment.

Carlos: you have an excellent website and obviously put a lot of time into it. You mention in your profile having interest in art, video games and computers. Share more with us about being at a crossroads? Is it attracting business to you? Deciding what you what to do moving forward? You mention in your profile you are trying to build a future for yourself and you have posted on networking and online/offline reputation. You are at the right place...How can we help?

[Carlos]

Originally Posted by David Sandusky

Carlos: you have an excellent website and obviously put a lot of time into it. You mention in your profile having interest in art, video games and computers. Share more with us about being at a crossroads? Is it attracting business to you? Deciding what you what to do moving forward? You mention in your profile you are trying to build a future for yourself and you have posted on networking and online/offline reputation. You are at the right place...How can we help?

There's so much in my head right now. I feel like the two brains (the left and right side of your brain), are fighting each other constantly, like right now. I'm reading your post, its a headache to even try responding, I want to say everything, but parts of me needs to keep my ideas under wraps.

As I am maturing, 24 and growing. I've been growing from just a gamer, to a business-minded person, because most websites I visit, and post on; have one little trend, and one common occurance: They all have their own business license.

I've been writing for websites for as long as 5 years, maybe more. Because gaming was my passion. The drive that kept me going. Until one day, my ex made a wound. A sharp knife in my heart. I call this the "one thousand stabs" burden. So, I found an idea, I saw opportunity in the whole situation. I found a shining star.

But it came with a price; I quit my job just a year ago, because my boss, I didn't think he liked me as much as my assistant manager did, in fact, he saw the girl as my coffin. This girl complained to BOTH store manager, and assistant manager. The way I see it, the manager didn't like me and used this "unfortunate strain" on my infulence on him. I lost all respect from the guy. I didn't care, because I worked there for 4 years, earned a lot of respect from colleaques, co-workers, a lot of infulence in the entire workforce. I was even recommended for assistant manager, rightfully so, a person with as much influence in the workforce that I once did; ALWAYS is the best candidate for assistant manager, or even store manager. Because your employees will LISTEN to you, since you've known them longer, and been respected more.

The manager? He didn't have ONE inch of power over any of the employees, none, in fact, MOST of them LEFT the company before I did. So when he wiped my hours clean one week (I was supposed to attend college the same week) I packed my bags, and quit. I gave the guy two weeks notice, and he deleted my name off the schedule. Done. bye.

So, then, I went into business with the same guy who owns the website that I currently have in my profile - This one. I paid for his site's server and new domains, worked for his site for a year, went to E3 with him, and his team.

Since we got the server, and domains functioning - the site has seen a tremendous jump in visits, but our forums aren't big, due to us using the old design. We lost our former members, visitors, at our previous domain name (but same name). It was all thanks to my savvy understanding of usernames and unique names. But the owner also did his part putting up new exclusive articles, and events.

Just a month ago, I quit due to contract disagreement. Then shortly before, and just a while ago, another company came to me and tried to make a business relationship (it seems) but I could not trust him, because of our differences before, and his community's actions. He wants me part of his company. He even wants to buy the site I just mentioned.

At the very same time, the same guy I did business with, as mentioned above, wants to make me co-director, but then, it comes with a risk. I have to invest in to the site.

But I just can't make my dreams come true, all because of one thing: Money. I have nothing. I can't even launch the ideas I have in the frying pan. My college account is on "lockout" mode, three of my domain names are currently in the same mode, in fact, the registrar accused ME of charging back on their system, when I did not even sign a paper, nor say I wanted it to be charged back. Damn right, I'm stuck in a hole.

Why am I at crossroads? Because there are a few doors opening right now, as you can see, since my area has been closing doors on me, by rejecting every application I have ever submitted to companies. I tried my former job; receiving, and my recommended job; assistant manager. I don't know what to do, I don't even know where to go, I don't .....freakin' know.

[David Sandusky]

Originally Posted by Carlos

Why am I at crossroads? Because there are a few doors opening right now, as you can see, since my area has been closing doors on me, by rejecting every application I have ever submitted to companies. I tried my former job; receiving, and my recommended job; assistant manager. I don't know what to do, I don't even know where to go, I don't .....freakin' know.

Sounds like you had to get a lot of personal stuff off your chest. You are a young guy with a lot of passion and time to figure it out. Moving forward: it is time to take responsibility for the past, reflect on what you have gained and how you can contribute your skills and passion.

What do you want to do? Hop out of bed everyday passion? What kind of companies are you interested in? - industry - size? Why should someone hire you over your competition? attach your resume if you want or send directly through my website.

[Carlos]

Originally Posted by David Sandusky

What do you want to do? Hop out of bed everyday passion? What kind of companies are you interested in? - industry - size? Why should someone hire you over your competition? attach your resume if you want or send directly through my website.

Right now, I don't know. I mean, I used to be really passionate about gaming, and I still play some, I write for sites, so that I could experience one of my dreams: E3, I've done that for two years now. My next destination is Tokyo Game Show, which is going to take place late september.

Most of my [paid jobs] experience are in retail, my last job was in Michaels Arts and Crafts. Most of my [non-paid] jobs are video games journalism, which can be seen on my profile at MySpace.

BTW, yes, one of the members of LinkedIn is also the owner of one of those sites.

But life after Michaels puts me in the "expand your horizons" way of thinking. I was fed up with working at Michaels so much, that I was beginning to question "was my 4 years here - worth it?" Because a few people there praised me as employee, they enjoyed my presence, they said I was the most helpful person on the payroll. Nobody had the balls to tell my manager like it is - except for one person, that person was assistant manager.

So, right now, I'm thinking about what kind of job I want to explore. But at the same time, I'm desparate for money, for personal reasons. I want to revamp my entire life starting with Online Presence. I've wiped my old "username" for my "brand name." I'm setting the stage for a future business, because I want to start one. But its not without proper advertising beforehand.

Why does revamping my life have to involve money? Well, a new room. A new set of clothes. Getting a new server, amongst other things.

I'm honest to a fault, ain't I, eh?

[David Sandusky]

I like your honest and open style. You do continue to spend time on the past 'jobs'. Take the customer service experience and move on to your CAREER. move on!

Having said that, I understand you need income. I also understand you want to start a company. Retail looks like the fast way and easiest sell to $$ so I would pick up the pace on that and secure a position that is fun, but flexible. Retail is not your passion and would be a temporary 'day job' until your business is generating $. That does not mean you can slack off. Good news with retail is the flexible schedule. Work hard as hell on you business - spend the $ you need and not the $ you don't. Justify the investments in your business and you and drop the rest for a while. Be patient - hard to do, but be patient and work hard. Run your business ideas by me. I would love to help

[Carlos]

Well, I may come off as someone who's "in the past" but really, I'm not. I'm just trying to figure out how to get a new job. I said earlier, that my area rejected every application I have ever submitted to them. I don't have the money for transportation, so that's why I'm looking for a job IN my area. Its frustrating, since most people say its easy to grab a job in the retail industry.

(I'll send you the resume, but I'll edit parts of it. I don't want telemarketers using it as their cash-in.)

Drawing (art) was a talent of mine, and a tad bit of passion of mine, but I lost interest in it, because the video game industry now requires both artistic vision, and 3D modeling experience. Which is no easy task. My former dream, was to work in the video game industry, I'd love to design levels, backgrounds, worlds, etc. I've decided that since people in the industry need a lot of passion, but in the end get less than the next person on the project, or other industries, that it wasn't going to be worth it.

Computers? Well, I'm writing, right? I know a lot about computers, but not the technicallity of it, I know a lot about servers, and stuff like that. I even have administrative experience on forums - mainly vbulletin.

[David Sandusky]

got it. I don't know your area but sounds like you are restricted. You said you are thinking out of the box - good. You have admin skills and know who the players are - do they all know you are available for admin support out of your home? Hit it and don't give up. Hit the temp agencies near you for brick and morter support - whatever. Something like that might open your eyes to other exciting companies and ideas. If you need to travel a bit - you will figure it out - get-er-done! Then tell others how you did it. Time can be scary and sure to have challenges in the future - we all do.

"The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it" - Michelangelo

[Carlos]

Sent, through your site's CMS.